Situated along US-23, Whitmore Lake is an unincorporated community extending across Green Oak Township in Livingston County and Northfield Township in Washtenaw County.
Unincorporated communities in Michigan don't have defined boundaries, but Whitmore Lake is also a census-designated place (CDP), which establishes boundaries for the purpose of the US Census, although they are without legal status.
Whitmore Lake is situated around the shores of the 667-acre body of water by that name, which lies entirely within the CDP, which also includes the area around the smaller Horseshoe Lake to the south and Monahan Lake to the northeast. Lawton Lake is just outside the CDP boundaries in the east, and Wildwood Lake is just west of Whitemore Lake.
US-23 forms much of the western boundary of the CDP, except for a portion on the southern side of 8 Mile Road that extends further west, to a point just west of Whitmore Lake Elementary School. Its other boundaries are broken, and defined by several roads and streets.
US-23 is the main route to and from the community. Others include M-36, 9 Mile Road, 8 Mile Road, 7 Mile Road, and 6 Mile Road.
Cities and villages within twenty-five miles of Whitmore Lake include South Lyon, Brighton, Barton Hills, Ann Arbor, Pinckney, Dexter, Northville, Novi, Milford, Ypsilanti, Howell, Wixom, Saline, Chelsea, Plymouth, and Walled Lake, while the unincorporated communities of Hamburg, Rushton, Green Oak, Webster, Lakeland, Emery, and Pettysville.
The Whitmore Lake post office serves a larger area than that defined by the CDP, including parts of southeastern Hamburg Township, northeastern Webster Township, and larger portions of Green Oak and Northfield townships than are included in the CDP.
The population of Whitmore Lake is significant. At the time of the 2020 census, its population was 7,584. Residents of the community have considered incorporation several times, but have not yet chosen to do so.
At one time, Whitmore Lake was a summer vacation area, with many of its lakefront homes serving as summer cottages. In recent years, there has been a trend toward year-round residences, and most of the vacant land around the lake has been developed.
The K-12 population of Whitmore Lake is served by Whitmore Lake Public Schools. Originally, the public school district's elementary school, middle school, and high school were built on the same parcel of land, but currently, the Whitmore Lake Early Childhood Center, the Go Like the Wind Montessori School, and Livingston Classical Academy are near the western boundary of the CDP, between US-23 and Main Street, while Whitmore Lake Elementary School is further north and west, between Kearney Road and Barker Rod, just outside the CDP boundaries, and Whitmore Lake Junior/Senior High School is outside of the CDP boundaries in the southwest, along Whitmore Lake Road.
Regular events in Whitmore Lake include its Fourth of July Celebration, the Harvest Festival, and the Michigan Pond Hockey Classic.
Whitmore Lake was settled by European-Americans around 1825 when Jonathan F. Stratton and Luke H. Whitmore camped along the lake while surveying the area. They soon returned looking for land. Mr. Stratton suggested the name for the lake, and it was so recorded on maps. Mr. Whitmore became a local landowner and the first county treasurer in 1829.
A post office was established on June 9, 1834, with George W. Dexter as postmaster. Originally, the post office was named Northfield after the township but was changed to Whitmore Lake on December 27, 1854. In the 1880s, the Grand Trunk Western Railroad opened a station on the north end of the lake, along its Jackson Branch. The Ann Arbor Railroad also opened a station in Whitmore Lake. While constructing the GTW Air Line branch through Whitmore Lake in 1882, a 60-foot deep sinkhole was encountered and spanned by a 400-foot bridge.
Whitmore Lake, Michigan is the focus of this portion of our guide. Governmental agencies within the community or CDP, as well as local businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, entertainment venues, and recreational opportunities, are appropriate for this category.
Recommended Resources
The independent, fundamental, Baptist church has retained the exclusive use of the King James Version of the Bible, and traditional music during the worship service. Located along Whitmore Lake Road in Whitmore Lake, Michigan, the church meets on Sunday mornings and evenings, on Wednesday nights, and at other times in accordance with its calendar of events and other notices that might be posted on the site. An overview of its ministries, sermon archive, and live streaming of Sunday services.
https://cbcwhitmorelake.org/
The annual multi-day summer festival is held in Whitmore Lake, Michigan each June. Although the events may differ from year to year, it might be expected to include a carnival midway, magic shows, farm animals, and fireworks. Admission is free, although there is a charge for parking and for carnival rides. Discount ride passes may be purchased online. Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are posted on the site, along with a calendar of events and a map showing its location.
https://hamburgfunfest.com/
Affiliated with the Michigan District of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, the congregation meets at its facilities on Barker Road in Whitmore Lake, Michigan. The address, a map, telephone number, and email address are posted, with links to partner ministries, and an introduction to its pastoral and leadership staff. Service schedules are published, and may be attended in person or through online streaming media, via Facebook Live. An overview of its ministries is presented.
https://www.livingwatermi.org/
The civil township in upper Washtenaw County was organized in 1832. There are no incorporated villages within the township, although it does include the unincorporated communities of Emery, Northfield, and Whitmore Lake, the latter of which is also a census-designated place. The official township website includes a calendar of events, public notices, job postings, an online newsletter, and board and commission vacancies. Contacts for the township offices are included.
https://www.twp-northfield.org/
In business for more than eighty years, the auto repair shop is family-owned and operated, and offers full auto repair and maintenance services, including European and classic car repairs, hybrid vehicle services, complete tire repairs, and fleet services, as well as its Pit Stop Inspection services, which is a complimentary auto inspection service offering a comprehensive evaluation of the vehicle. Appointments may be made online, financing may be applied for, and contacts are posted.
https://thehamburggarage.com/
Enrolling students in preschool through the twelfth-grade WLPS operates an Early Childhood Center, Go Like the Wind Montessori School, Whitmore Lake Elementary School, and Whitmore Lake Middle/High School, each of which is featured here, with school calendars, bus schedules, lunch menus, teacher sites, and an overview of its athletics and extracurricular programs. Administrative and departmental contacts are included, and school board members, calendars, and meeting minutes are included.
https://www.wlps.net/
